Adjunctive therapies may include cupping, moxibustion, gua sha, electrical acupuncture, herbal medicine. Recommendations to lifestyle, diet, and movement therapy are also in the scope of practice for an Acupuncturist. These may include Qi, Gong, Tai Chi, Sotai, meditations, rest, activity, and others.
Please message us if you have any questions or if you would like to schedule a complimentary phone consultation.
Japanese Acupuncture
Japanese acupuncture is unique in its efficiency and precision, but is still firmly imbedded in the ancient Chinese medical texts. Techniques are directed at using the minimal amount of stimulation to attain the greatest results. Practitioners who practice this style use thinner and fewer needles, and shallower needle insertion. Sometimes the treatment involves simply touching the surface of the skin with the needles called “superficial insertion”. It also uses abdominal palpation and other diagnostics to determine the underlying balance. Meridian therapy is one system of Japanese Acupuncture that grasps all diseases as a condition of deficiency or excess of Qi or blood in the meridians, and then uses the techniques of acupuncture to tonify or shunt to bring about healing. Moxibustion is used extensively in the Japanese techniques.
Sotai MoveEasy
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Kampo Herbal Medicine
The Chinese meaning for Herbal Recipes or Formulas is a simple phrase “Fang Ji”. Since the pre-Han era (206 B.C.) these words refer to the separate but complimentary practice of medicine. Fang refers to the document on which the formula was recorded and Ji refers to the practice of the technique itself. Thus, Fang Ji, are formulas which are put into practice.
Many of the Formulas we use at Alpenglow date back to the 3rd century BC. The Chinese have a rich history and background in herbal medicinals. With this comes a rich history of conscience dialog and documentation of every aspect of the Fang Ji. A common phrase in China is, “too much medicine makes a man sick.” Thus implying the corrective qualities of Chinese medicinal. They help symptoms, and bring the body to perfect harmony but their potency can move it back into disharmony if overused. Licensed Acupuncturist’s have extensive training in the use of these formulas, the good that they bring and the potential side effects they may have. This is why all Chinese Medicinal should be taken with respect and caution under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Chinese herbs are commonly used with treatments. Herbs are just one facet in the Oriental medical approach. Formulas are made by taking the herbs roots, stems leaves, and fruit of plants and combining four or more herbs that synergistically complements each other in the goal for health for each unique individual. Rande has extensive training in Chinese Medicinal. Herbals are used wisely to bring honor to those who went before us.
Moxibustion Therapy
The purpose of moxibustion, as with most forms of traditional Chinese medicine, is to strengthen the blood, stimulate the flow of Qi, resolve pain and maintain general health. Moxibustion is often used on people who have a cold or stagnant condition. The burning of moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the meridians, which leads to smoother flow of blood and Qi. In Western medicine, moxibustion has successfully been used to turn breech babies into a normal head-down position prior to childbirth. Studies have shown that moxibustion increases the movement of the fetus in pregnant women, and may reduce the symptoms of menstrual cramps when used in conjunction with traditional acupuncture. Moxibustion is especially effective in the treatment of chronic problems and deficient conditions.
Mugwort, also known as Artemesia Vulgaris or Ai Ye, is a small, spongy herb, used in moxibustion that facilitates healing. Moxa is placed on an acupuncture point or needle and lit, but is extinguished or removed before it burns the skin. The patient will experience a pleasant warming sensation that penetrates deep into the skin. Moxa energy has been researched to be an infrared energy which has a deep penetrating and healing effect on the body.
Pediatric Acupuncture
Shonishin is a Japanese Acupuncture Technique specific for children. It follows the same theory and guidelines as acupuncture, but with out the use of needles. This technique involves light brushing and tapping along the meridians and at acupuncture points to bring the body back into harmony and balance. Shonishin uses the same meridians and points to stimulate the immune system. This helps your child’s body fight off infection, disease and supports the healing process. Shonishin can be used both as preventative care and during an illness.
In East Asian Medicine a child’s energy is considered very Yang ~ meaning their energy is right on the surface. For this reason, children from birth to age 10 respond very quickly to Shonishin techniques, and do not require needle acupuncture until they are older, unless they have a deep-rooted condition. Once a child is older than 10 their energy is no longer superficial and they respond better acupuncture.
Nutrition
In Chinese Medicine food is considered medicinal. Each food has a different nature and flavor. The nature of the food affects the temperature of the body. For example watermelon is a very cooling fruit, and is good to eat during the warmer summer months. Where as cayenne, cinnamon or garlic are very warming spices that are great to use during the cold winter months. The flavor of the food will affect the body’s metabolism.
Whether specific foods are good or bad for a person depends on the their condition. For example a person who has trouble staying warm wouldn’t want to eat a lot of watermelon, and like wise a person who is overly hot shouldn’t consume many spicy foods. Your Acupuncturist will be able to diagnose your condition and give guidelines as to which foods are best for you to consume and which to avoid. In doing so you will increase your energy, improve digestion, enhance overall quality of sleep, boost your immune system and loose weight.
The three keys to a healthy life are diet, exercise and rest.